THEY may be part of the family, but the Food Safety Information Council has urged pet owners to make sure to practise good hygiene.
The council has issued a reminder that pets can carry bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that can be transmitted to people - especially kids.
The council's chair Rachelle Williams said studies showed pets could also produce many positive benefits, including reducing stress, increasing rates of exercise and even reducing allergies and strengthening the immune systems of children.
Animal Medicines Australia executive director Ben Stapley said hygienic practices such as washing hands after cleaning up after pets significantly reduced the risk of contracting an illness from germs shared between pets and owners.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world with 62 per cent of Australian households hosting a pet.
The council has issued six basic tips to avoid catching infections from pets:
- Take pets for regular health check ups with your vet, make sure they are fully immunised, wormed and have had flea and tick treatments.
- Try to keep pets out of food preparation areas, especially kitchen benchtops. Wash hands with soap and dry before handling food and after handling pets, their toys or food. Don't let pets lick your plate.
- Always wash hands after cleaning out cages, fish tanks, cat litter or cleaning up after your dog.
- Pet birds and reptiles have been linked to salmonella infections. Make sure to wash hands after handling them or cleaning their environment.
- Cats may also pass on salmonella if they eat raw meat, including wild birds and animals. Feed them commercially prepared food and try to keep them inside.
- Make sure not to eat or let children eat or drink in animal areas and make sure to wash hands after touching animals.
